Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-10-20

We had reached our destination.
Entering the shop, we came upon n.
Ballu. the upholsterer, who all budding
and blooming. was busy working at 4
parcel of goods
"Oh. that's your little game. is it?''
began Choquart as soon As he set eyes
on his intended victim you're
alive, then3 thought a. much. But
you don't play the monkey with me
any longer. Mister Turk; you've caught
the wrong SOW by the ear this time.
let me tell you'll"
'.Monsieur Choqusrt! exclaimed the
merchant
Eyes. sir, my name is Choquart-
Choquart do you hear. sir?-who'll
have none of this tomfoolery. Your
wife-where is she, your wife? She's
young and pretty, but wants to run q
rig upon me. Your wife, say, averred
that you were on your last legs and
would be dead As herring in less
than six months, and here you are.
alive and kicking. Now is that the
way you keep your engagements"
All! Monsieur Choquart, rejolned
tho merchant who had somewhat re-
covered from his first fright, Il have
been ill, very i'll, indeed. You'll never
see me don the Turkish garb again.
It's over now. So let me ask You to
forgive and forget any improper thing
1 may have said on that eventful
night"
lone moment" said Choquart. mot
quite SO fast please. Do not tender
your excuses in the regular form?"
Faith. I don't quite understand
what form that is. But this l know,
for l have inquired about you and
learned that you are right good fel-
low. Come, l have a roasted leg of
mutton with kidney-beans. Will you
do me the honor to dine with me. you
and your friend? My wife will be
overjoyed. Aglae, why don't you
come? Here is Nj. Choquart, who ac-
cepts an invitation to dine with u.s."
Of course I nodded assent, while it
was not over difficult to read on Che
quarts relaxing countenance that the
roasted leg of mutton had found the
way to his heart.
Then again." added M. Ballu, who
now felt that he had the game in his
own hands. Il have a certain Madeira
about which l should like to have your
opinion, Monsieur Choquart.
''You have no Madeira, SIR" retort-
ed Choquart, with a deep frown over
his eyelids.
But
Il say you have no Madeira, SIR" ex-
claimed the duelist raising his voice
and gesticulating like mailman.
"And please take notice that am not
to be contradicted on this point l
have drunk but one glass of genuine
Madeira during the whole course of
my life. Twas at the Tuileries. Yes,
sir. l had just recovered from sick
ness. and was on duty at the Kings
dinner. A glass of Madeira having
been poured out for Louis XVIII, his
Majesty, turning toward the cup
bearer. said: Hand that to Choquart,
and give him my compliments. DO
you hear me now?"
"But, Monsieur Choquart, assure
YOU
II say that you have no Madeira,
sir" screeched Choquart, who had
grown furious. and brought his hand
down with terrific force on the wooden
counter. IF you once more dare to
say that you have Madeira wine I'll
tear your head clean off from your
shoulders!-And what else did you say
you had?''
'Well." said the merchant, who was
somewhat staggered at this sudden fit
of passion, 1--we leg of mutton with
"a leg of mutton" said Choquart.
in a soft tone of voice, ''that's good.
when well roasted. But I'm confident
twill be overdone. Have you got such
a thing as a spit?"
"A spit? l should say had,' burst
out NJ. Ballu. with kindling eyes.
only just pass this way, gentlemen
and see for yourselves.
The merchant let us into a comfort
able back shop. which answered the
purpose of a dining-room. There on
the hearth. in front of bright blazing
fire. fine leg of mutton majestically
turned on spit. like a planet round
the sun.
That looks NICE" remarked Cho-
quart, after a moment of silent con-
'YOu are not altogether
an idiot A man who knows the worth
of spit deserves to live. But why
don't you haste your leg of mutton?'
So saying Choquart took up the ladle.
and began pouring over the meat the
rich steaming juice. At that moment
the merchants wife came in.
"Ah. good day. madame, good day
to you" said Choquart, as he leant
over and deluged the sarory roast.